I have been coaching the 4th and 5th grade travel team for our local YMCA. We played very well first 8 games, we won I coach at a the suburban YMCA, we're from the burbs. Growing up near Detroit and my self playing in Detroit city YMCA's. I knew they played a different stlye of BasketBall. I warned all the girls about speed, and they are going to have to move. Well after starting out 0-10 in the first 3 mins I called a TO. They all came in and looked at me and said "These girls are fast". I said "Welcome to City basketball". We lost by 14, but we got a few cheap baskets.
It can be an eye opener for sure. A few years ago I coached the little league all stars here. It was a great bunch of kids and pretty loaded with talent. But they REALLY had the chemistry to go along with it. The most coachable bunch of kids I've ever been associated with. Anyway, we rolled all the way to states and made the final 4 tournament. First time in over 50something years for our hometown. Well.......... our magical ride came to an abrupt halt. The other 3 teams were from and around the city (NYC). Man did they put it on us! The kids were like college athletes. Their stud pitcher was throwing a major league equivelant of 105 mph! They hit and hit some more, played flawless defense, pitched like we've never seen, etc.... They even had the little dugout chants going on. Just pure domination. I told my kids no matter what DO NOT ever give up. Keep fighting until they tell us we have to go home and enjoy the experience. You've already accomplished more than any previous team can say they have, be proud of that and have fun out there. They did. Never hung their heads or had any pity party. They went out (got clobbered) and gave it all they had. They actually ended up laughing about it. That's all I could ask of them and couldn't have been prouder.
Germ, sometimes with those type of teams it can be very hard to keep up. You almost have to try some weird strategy like playing four corners with the ball and slowing the entire game down to the point where they get frustrated and foul. If there is no shot clock you have the ability to play mental games with your opponents.
Losing by 14 was getting your ass handed to you? My freshman year, we lost by 80+ to a top 5 nationally ranked team. The starters played for maybe 5 minutes. I believe they subbed in the JV team once the score was 32-0. We couldn't handle the JV team either. Their shortest starter was about 6'3", and I, at barely 6'2", was our center at the time. The first possession of the game, after they won the tip, I was running towards the block, only to turn around to feet in my face. They threw an alley from half court on the opening possession. They kept asking us during the game how we had won 20+ games. We had to keep telling them that we are awesome against other white boys.
Germ, my 8 year old daughter plays basketball and ten points is a big lead, so I understand. I really enjoy watching her play.
True, I forgot that when I played little dribblers at that age that a game score of 22-18 was the norm. In fact, I think I remember winning a game 13-9. I remember this because I was the only kid to score that game.
